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Re: Drafting the Best Player Available at a Position of Need

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust & sweat & blood...

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Re: Drafting the Best Player Available at a Position of Need

There's no mistaking, the Steelers have done well in Rd 1 & 2 the last few years. However, our misses in Rds. 3-4 really have hit the depth on this team and now are causing issues with free agency looming.

Limas Sweed - Rd 2: jury still out, but he is hanging by a fingernail with this team and will likely get his last shot next season.

Bruce Davis -Rd. 3: could have been a Farrior protege but really could not adjust to the pro game.

Tony Hills -Rd. 4: have not heard a peep about him other than some pre-season drivel.

Anthony Smith -Rd 3: possible replacement for Clark. He wanted to play the game one way, the coaches wanted something else....big miss here.

Willie Reid -Rd 3: I have a beef about SEC WRs...anyway, this miss caused us to go looking for free agent WRs.

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Re: Drafting the Best Player Available at a Position of Need

Some thoughts from Wexell who advocates spending the first two picks on offensive linemen. Don't agree at all. He is right about resisting the temptation to reach for a CB which they aren't any IMO worth #18 if Haden is gone.

Intersting comment highlighted on him believing we may let Hampton walk and if Hoke and Paxson can't do the job consider 4-3 switch. Thought you would love me pointing that out.

Ask Wexell

By Jim Wexell
Publisher SteelCityInsider.com
Posted Jan 14, 2010

Enough time has been wasted, so letís get right to our newest gig Ė thatís not fashioned after the outstanding ďAsk VicĒ series in Jacksonville. No, this oneís much different. Itís called ďAsk Wexell.Ē

Tyranid: Can the Steelers fix their offense and supplement the defensive depth in this draft alone?

I donít think any team can fix all of their problems with one draft. We focus so much on the team in front of us that we donít realize all teams have several problems. The Steelers can do a bit of both. I wrote of my desire to drafting OLmen -- Bryan Bulaga and Maurkice Pouncey Ė one and two, and the leaders of the mobs that actually watched the games this season and saw the defense, they called the story dumb. Well, OK. But Iím looking at value, and those two are not only true building blocks, they would help right away. Iíd even take Trent Williams and Matt Tennant at those spots instead of reaching for a CB like Patrick Robinson and taking a linebacker in the second. While I appreciate an ILB such as Darryl Washington, Iíd prefer a Matt Tennant because itís time for Timmons to step up and be that 3-down ILB. Brandon Spikes first? OK, since I can find a way for him to play three downs, but is he a better building block than Bulaga or Williams? I donít think so. Iíd have to rank Spikes a notch or two below them, particularly Bulaga.

Tyranid: Youíve talked to Casey Hampton. What are the chances of franchising him and maybe drafting a later-round prospect this year? Can you risk starting Chris Hoke this year with a mid-round prospect behind him?

Not franchising Hampton is something to which he says the Steelers have agreed. I can understand why heís against it, since it would cripple his chance for one last grand deal in his career. And if the Steelers did in fact agree, then it will become so because the Rooneys abide by their promises. Now, that may help Hamptonís emotional state as he negotiates a multi-year contract, but it may not help the Steelers, who really have to think long and hard about giving the 33-year-old anything longer than a three-year deal.

Should Hampton leave, yes, I think Chris Hoke would serve as a valuable starter with Scott Paxson behind him. I feel they could competently serve the season while a third NT is kept on the roster and a fourth on the practice squad. If no one can be developed, perhaps itís time to transition to playing more 4-3.

Tyranid: When do you start looking for a replacement for Hines Ward? I like Golden Tate and Eric Decker. What do you think of those two?

Theyíve been looking for Wardís replacement since 2000 when they drafted Plaxico Burress a year after drafting Troy Edwards and two years after drafting Ward. The moral of the story is to never ever count Ward out. I think he read my story about his possible retirement last spring, and I think he posted it on his locker, and I think he thinks I disrespected him, and I think heís going to play till heís 40 just to prove me wrong.

No, not really, but you get my drift with that guy. As for Golden Tate, his valueís at an all-time high right now and that would be too high for the Steelers right now. I adore Eric Deckerís toughness, but it got him killed this season. I wonder if heíll be able to withstand NFL punishment. Iíd take him if he were somehow available in the fourth round. Another guy who compares favorably to Ward is Illinois junior Arrelious Benn, a 6-2, 200-pounder who had an awful year (with his awful quarterback). Heíd been considered first-round material till only recently and could be a steal in the second. Yet, that may even be too soon for a team that hasnít given up on Limas Sweed yet.

Tyranid: What are your thoughts on drafting tight ends? The guy I like is Ed Dickson. Is he better than Colin Peek?

No oneís better than Colin Peek. Just kidding. I like Dickson as well. I think his blockingís underrated and so is his deep speed. But, again, Iím more interested in a bulldog like Peek, whoís been well schooled in the run game and has enough toughness and courage to help on third downs and in the red zone. So to answer your question, Dickson will probably rank higher (unless Peek runs a great 40 at the combine), but my eye will wander over to someone like Peek in the middle rounds, even Nate Byham of Pitt later.

Tyranid: If Willie Parker leaves, the team will need a second running back. Do you like anyone in the draft?

I mentioned yesterday the mid to late-round big backs that I like, although itís doubtful that Ben Tate has slipped anyoneís notice. Geez, can any Auburn back get lost in the shuffle with that schoolís tradition? I like Jarvarris James as well, guys like that. Big backs who run mediocre 40 times tend to become available late. That would be my thinking going in.

SteelinLogic: Has Isaac Redman improved his stamina yet?

We shall find out. My guess is heís working at it, particularly since he took such a public lashing from Mike Tomlin over it. Yes, I would think that Redman sees the opportunity and will give it his all. If he doesnít, then weíll all know why he ended up at Bowie State in the first place.

SteelerBill13: I noticed that Ed Bouchette reported the Steelers tried to sign a fullback from the CFL. Thoughts on this? Any other free-agent fullbacks out there?

I know of no others, but thatís a position that flies under the radar. I take it as a good sign that Tomlin doesnít believe this morass of H-backs has sufficiently helped the two-year short-yardage problem. You can have a fullback and not upset the precious 12-tight end ecosystem Bruce Arians has in place. Just bring him in off the bench when necessary. Any football fan can see that tight ends just donít lead block as well as fullbacks. Too damn bad Henry Hynoski didnít leave Pitt early this year.

SteelerBill13: Also, do you agree with me that the success of the Ravens will serve to punch the Steelers in the mouth and wake them up, so to speak?

Bill, I know you didnít use those exact words. I did.

Youíd think it would be unnecessary after the debacle in Cleveland, but my whole point of the Arians debate is not just the one debacle, but the entire lightweight environment thatís evolved. None of the stats geeks can quantify that side of their pro-Arians arguments, so unfortunately a punch in the face might not even work, as far as Iím concerned.

Jdam43: Beyond the obvious injury problems, what do you think happened to the secondary this season? What is the best short-term approach to fixing it?

Jdam, you obviously have me confused with one of those smart sportswriters. I just think the talent was woefully insufficient. While Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu may very well be the best safety tandem in the NFL, the tandem of Clark and Ty Carter was dreadful. And then you have to wonder about the capability of the young talent behind them. But this will be a great year to add safety depth and find someone to groom at free safety.

As for cornerback, Will Gay and Ike Taylor had awful seasons. Weíve seen Taylorís roller coaster rides in the past, so his inconsistency wasnít a big surprise. But I was surprised at how poorly Gay played. His position will be a focus this off-season. Theyíve already signed Trae Williams, a guy I liked at South Florida. They might try to find a cheap free agent, and Iíd draft a mid-rounder like Devin McCourty of Rutgers or Devin Ross of Arizona. Theyíre a bit on the short side, but theyíre tough and were confident leaders for their respective teams, so I feel both have the capability to show ďthe stage isnít too big for him.Ē Iím worried about reaching at the top of the draft for a Patrick Robinson or a Perrish Cox.
Mikey86: Whatís the bigger need: cornerback, defensive line or offensive line?

Well, if youíre talking about draft priorities, go with the better value at any of the three positions. Iíd rather have Joe Haden than Trent Williams, but Iíd rather have Williams than Perrish Cox. Then thereís the need at nose tackle, but thatís a two-down position, even a 1.5-down position at times. Tough call, but to finally answer your question, Iíd go CB, OL, DL.

Mikey86: Was James Harrison playing injured?

James stopped coming around the locker room during media time, and even if he did heís not the kind of guy to talk about injuries or make excuses. We know he gutted out the one game with the biceps bruise, but I donít know if there was another injury or if that bruise lingered. I thought he played well, but heís taking criticism around town, particularly on the radio, so he should respond with his most grueling off-season yet.

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Re: Drafting the Best Player Available at a Position of Need

Mikey86: Was James Harrison playing injured?

James stopped coming around the locker room during media time, and even if he did heís not the kind of guy to talk about injuries or make excuses. We know he gutted out the one game with the biceps bruise, but I donít know if there was another injury or if that bruise lingered. I thought he played well, but heís taking criticism around town, particularly on the radio, so he should respond with his most grueling off-season yet.

He might kill somebody next year....

Actually, my post was NOT about you...but, if the shoe fits, feel free to lace that &!+Ä# up and wear it.

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Re: Drafting the Best Player Available at a Position of Need

Originally Posted by Slapstick

Mikey86: Was James Harrison playing injured?

James stopped coming around the locker room during media time, and even if he did heís not the kind of guy to talk about injuries or make excuses. We know he gutted out the one game with the biceps bruise, but I donít know if there was another injury or if that bruise lingered. I thought he played well, but heís taking criticism around town, particularly on the radio, so he should respond with his most grueling off-season yet.

He might kill somebody next year....

Or at 31 years old hurt himself and be more prone to injury next year.

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Re: Drafting the Best Player Available at a Position of Need

Originally Posted by Oviedo

Originally Posted by Slapstick

Mikey86: Was James Harrison playing injured?

James stopped coming around the locker room during media time, and even if he did heís not the kind of guy to talk about injuries or make excuses. We know he gutted out the one game with the biceps bruise, but I donít know if there was another injury or if that bruise lingered. I thought he played well, but heís taking criticism around town, particularly on the radio, so he should respond with his most grueling off-season yet.

He might kill somebody next year....

Or at 31 years old hurt himself and be more prone to injury next year.

What happened to the optimist that used to post under your screen name?

Even if Bill Belichick was getting an atomic wedgie, his face would look exactly the same.